The word sustainability is used often and rarely means anything specific. We would like to be more specific. Here is what we actually do at Amberbio, and — just as honestly — what we are still working out.
What we do today
We source only wild, uncultivated sea buckthorn from established groves. No new land is cleared for our supply. The plants are perennial and improve the soil around them by fixing nitrogen. Harvest is entirely by hand, so there is no machinery, no diesel, no compaction of the fragile alpine floor.
Our juice bottles are dark amber glass, which is fully recyclable and protects the light-sensitive juice inside. Our oil droppers are also glass, with a small aluminium collar. Our tisane comes in a resealable pouch made from a food-grade compostable film — not perfect, but a genuine step down from single-use plastic.
How we ship
Our outer cartons are unbleached kraft, no plastic tape. We use paper void-fill instead of bubble wrap. Every parcel is packed to be as small as possible — surprisingly effective at reducing van space and, therefore, fuel.
Our current packaging footprint is 78% recyclable and 12% compostable. The remaining 10% — mostly the small aluminium seals — is what we're actively working on.
What we're still figuring out
Reaching customers in tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities cost-effectively without air freight. Cold-chain for the juice during Indian summers without polystyrene ice-packs. A refill system for our oil droppers — customers want it and we owe them one.
We do not want to be a brand that only says the easy things. If you notice something we could do better, please write to us at hello@amberbio.in. We read every note.